HC Deb 29 April 1998 vol 311 cc167-8W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each year for which figures are available, how many applicants for income support have been refused because they have not passed the habitual residence test; and what proportion were granted benefit (a) on appeal and (b) after a further application within four months of the original. [35085]

Mr. Field

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

Number of income support claims refused as a result of the habitual residence test
Year Number of claims
April 1995-March 1996 19,767
April 1996-March 1997 13,338

Note:

In October 1996 income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA(IB)) replaced Income Support as the main benefit for the unemployed. Over the period October 1996 to March 1997 5,902 JSA (TB)) claims were refused as a result of the habitual residence test.

Source:

Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics.